2025 industry trends in North American process manufacturing 

Navigating today’s uncertain economic and regulatory landscape requires market agility, achievable on a foundation of technological preparedness and strategic vision

North American process manufacturing is constantly evolving, responding to emerging technologies, the regulatory landscape and global geopolitics. From the intricacies of supply chain management to the integration of cutting-edge technologies, process manufacturers should consider adaptation and innovation activities to best thrive.

As we enter a new year, there is a series of transformative trends that will shape industry throughout 2025 and beyond. This article delves into some of the leading topics, exploring the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. 

Supply chain resilience 

The disruptions experienced during the pandemic era are gradually easing, but new logistical factors—such as initiatives like the Build America, Buy America Act and ongoing geopolitical topics—will introduce unpredictability. These considerations will encourage companies to rethink supply chain strategies, often requiring a shift from linear and globally dispersed supply chains to more agile, regionally focused and adaptable networks. 

For example, process manufacturers are increasingly diversifying material sourcing, moving away from single-supplier dependencies and exploring nearshoring or reshoring options—all to reduce reliance on ever-changing international partners and shorten lead times. 

Additionally, companies are investing in strengthened relationships with key suppliers, moving beyond transactional interactions to build collaborative partnerships based on shared risk and reward. Increased transparency and open communication among stakeholders will help manage expectations, navigate disruptions effectively and keep production on track throughout the supply chain. 

Furthermore, data analytics are also enhancing supply chain visibility and responsiveness with enhancements such as real-time inventory tracking, automated ordering systems and predictive analytics for forecasting demand and disruptions. These analytics can help manufacturers identify vulnerabilities, optimize inventory levels and enable rapid responses to changing market conditions. 

Beyond these tactical adjustments, companies are applying more proactive and risk-aware mindsets to supply chain management, incorporating scenario planning and stress testing to identify and mitigate potential weaknesses. Tactics include evaluating supplier financial stability, geopolitical risks and potential transportation bottlenecks. By embracing a more holistic and resilient approach, manufacturers can navigate global uncertainties and ensure business continuity. 

Workforce development 

An ongoing challenge that industrial and process manufacturers will have to navigate is the ever-changing demographic of the workforce. With some in the workforce approaching retirement, coupled with a shortage of tenured entrants, knowledge transfer must be created. Furthermore, companies should foster a culture of knowledge transfer, cross-training and continuous learning opportunities. By doing so, they can attract new talent, especially from younger generations who quickly grasp new concepts and drive innovation.

These approaches include training and mentorship programs, not merely to upskill existing employees on new technologies, but also to attract and retain new talent. Objectives could extend beyond technical skills, encompassing critical thinking, problem-solving and adaptability mindsets, which are critical for manufacturing success in the rapidly changing technological landscape. 

Digitalization and automation are transforming job roles, requiring workers to be comfortable with data analysis, human-machine interfaces and cybersecurity protocols. Workers having the ability to identify inconsistencies or incorrect information based on the human skillset that allows critical thinking capabilities is important. Therefore, training on both the hard technical skills and the soft skills needed to drive sound decision-making in modern process manufacturing environments. By investing in robust workforce development initiatives, companies can ensure they have the talent necessary to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge in the years to come. 

Regulatory landscape and investment 

Deregulation presents both opportunities and challenges for manufacturers, and its impact varies significantly across industries and regions. On the one hand, it reduces compliance costs, freeing up resources for research and development, expansion projects and other strategic initiatives. Streamlined approval processes can also increase flexibility and speed to market, accelerating innovation and product launches. Furthermore, deregulation can foster competition by leveling the playing field for smaller businesses and new entrants. 

However, like any shifting landscape, deregulation can also create obstructions, especially in the near term. Frequent framework changes introduce uncertainty and volatility, which hinders long-term planning and investment decisions. Additionally, deregulation in one geographical area can create unintentional competitive disadvantages for process manufacturers in regions with stricter regulations. 

If a company isn’t careful with deregulation, it might risk its brand image, giving the impression that profit is being prioritized over environmental and consumer safety. For this reason, it is important to maintain high ethical standards and industry-specific best practices—regardless of regulatory minimums—to safeguard brand image. 

Despite deregulation trends in some areas, many leading companies are maintaining or exceeding existing environmental standards, driven by a growing commitment to long-term sustainability, resource efficiency, waste reduction and minimal environmental impact. This is reflected by investments in emerging technologies, including advanced emissions monitoring and control systems, water treatment and purification solutions, renewable energy use and waste management and recycling processes.

Sector-specific trends 

In addition to commonalities throughout North American process manufacturing segments, the following trends are notable in specific sectors: 

• Water/Wastewater – In recent years, the industry has focused on water reuse, resource optimization and addressing emerging contaminants, such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Smart water management solutions, advanced filtration technologies, automated leak detection and data-driven predictive maintenance tools are key technologies to continue these endeavors in 2025 and beyond. 

• Food & Beverage – Traceability, food safety and sustainability are top priorities. The food processing industry is rapidly adopting automation to increase productivity in a shrinking labor market. 

• Power & Energy – The transition to renewable energy sources and decentralized power generation is driving demand for smart grids, energy storage solutions and transmission upgrades. Meeting the rapidly growing demand from electric vehicle (EV) adoption and the mega-data centers needed for artificial intelligence computing is a key challenge. 

• Mining – Automation, remote operation and worker safety are key focus areas. Autonomous vehicles, drones and advanced sensors are being deployed to improve efficiency and reduce operational risks. Sustainable mining practices and resource optimization are also gaining popularity. 

• Life Sciences – Personalized medicine, digital therapeutics and continuous manufacturing are becoming pervasive throughout the industry. AI-driven drug discovery and development, along with advanced process control for improved quality and efficiency, are also receiving significant attention. 

• Oil & Gas – The sector is balancing energy security with environmental concerns. Key focus areas include digital oilfields, advanced drilling technologies, carbon capture and storage solutions and exploration of alternative energy sources. 

• Chemical – Sustainability, circular economy principles and process optimization are driving innovation. Additionally, the industry is adopting advanced materials, bio-based chemicals and digital twins to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. 

Emerging technologies and targeted applications 

Emerging technologies are also reshaping the process manufacturing landscape, providing opportunities for optimization, efficiency gains and innovation, along with new challenges. For instance, the rapid growth of data centers and semiconductor manufacturing is placing immense pressure on energy infrastructure, requiring efficient power management and sustainable solutions to meet growing demand. 

Additionally, the expansion of new/clean energy sources—such as solar, wind and hydrogen—requires specialized equipment and process expertise. Solutions tailored for these clean energy technologies are essential for maximizing efficiency and optimizing energy generation and grid integration. 

Blue and green ammonia are also increasingly viable as fertilizers and potential clean energy sources. Process automation is essential for sustainably scaling up production, ensuring precise control over reaction conditions and minimizing environmental impact. 

Meanwhile, AI and machine learning (ML) solutions are becoming practical and commonplace in newer applications. AI-powered predictive maintenance software is frequently used to anticipate equipment failures, minimizing downtime and enhancing maintenance schedules, while ML algorithms are being leveraged to improve control of process parameters in real-time, increasing efficiency and reducing waste. These technologies also help enhance quality control when used in image recognition systems that detect defects with greater accuracy and speed than human inspectors. 

Finally, growing concerns about plastic waste are spurring innovation in recycling technologies, with process automation playing a central role in optimal sorting, cleaning and processing. These efforts create high-quality recycled materials suitable for a wide range of modern manufacturing applications. 

Navigating uncertainty and driving efficiency 

In today’s climate of economic and regulatory uncertainty, manufacturers should prioritize process efficiency and agility to prepare for a variety of conditions. Continued investment in automation technologies, workforce training programs and emerging digital tools will help ensure ongoing success, but knowing the exact steps to take can be challenging. 

Starting with plantwide service platform and data handling solution implementation—such as Endress+Hauser’s Netilion—helps streamline process workflows, enables effective asset management, provides predictive maintenance and unlocks a host of process optimization benefits. Additionally, pre-engineered solutions help reduce project complexity and risk, and smart commissioning strategies can further streamline execution and ensure smooth startups. 

Evaluating and adopting emerging technologies is essential for staying competitive in 2025 and beyond. These technologies pave the way for improved operational efficiency, agility, sustainability and regulatory resilience. By forecasting and responding appropriately to industry-shaping trends, process manufacturers can ensure success well into the future.